Club Arnage

I'm guessing some of you got extra mail about joining the ACO after confirmation of your tickets & those who didn't are already members.

I've been mulling it over for the last couple of years, I actually got a calculator out over the weekend to figure out that by the time you've saved money on the tickets it basically covers the membership fee.

The question I have however is...Does joining the "gang" seem to help you get priority on the campsite ticketing orders??

If so I'm joining!! (as soon as I have some money at least!!) Is this perhaps the reason some of you always get the campsite you wanted & am I really dumb for not doing this ages ago?? :'(

I'm pretty not sure of such a priority. However you'll have access to the ACO private hospitality (inside the old museum) with as far as I remember bargain-price beverages and nice chairs and tables to rest.

You also get a free package of documents including - programme, list of race entries, race results, poster, cuddly toy, fondue set (I lied about the last two).

http://www.lemans.org/club/pages/formules_adhesion_club24_gb.html (http://www.lemans.org/club/pages/formules_adhesion_club24_gb.html)

Chris,

I'm pretty sure that this has been covered before but I can't be a*sed to search the archives.

Basically membership does not give you any priveliges over anyone else when it comes to booking tickets, certainly not in our experience. Although you do have a membership number to refer to when complaining. You do however get discounts, and the possibility of booking ACO grandstand seats (limited to 2 per member) if that's what you want - as well as access to the welcome centre and the benefits that Gilles has already pointed out.

You're right - the discounts just about cover the cost of the annual membership fee. The only other benefit is ACO breakdown cover for your car if you don't already have it with another organisation. My mate used them once - and it's OK so long as you can speak French!

Oh, and of course you get some nice stickers to put in your car of course.........

Can't prove it, but before I joined the ACO I never succeeded in buying proper campsite tickets.
Since joining the ACO three years ago, I never had that problem again.

Just place the order for next year when collecting your tickets and the ACO will confirm Maison Blanche and ACO tribune in January.
No problem whatsoever for the last three years.

Furthermore being a member makes communicating with them a lot easier. Including your membershipnr. in the e-mail usuallt results in an answer within the hour.

Also, if you attend more than one event (i.e. Le Mans Classic or Moto) then you double up on your savings!!!

I join every year and can testify that in 2001 the facility that is indoors with the large screen tuned to the race (and the clean washrooms) was a very present help in time of torrential rain and weather too chilly for the clothes I'd brought based on the furnace like heat of 2000.

I also attend most of the ALMS races and found the Entry List a great help to collecting autographs in one place and that the drivers really enjoy finding their entry in the book and talking about their Le Mans experience.  (And almost invariably either apologizing for their photo or saying hopefully, "That photo doesn't really look like me" which is a cue for you to agree "You are much better looking in person."   ;D  [For you ladies, the entry also informs you as to which of the drivers are single and what their horoscope sign is.]

It does seem a bit dear now at 60 quid, but it does include limited breakdown cover in France, and AA 5 star has always been silly money.

Whilst you get the info packs, and program, you don't get the free CD or anything else given away with the program, which is a bit of a shame

Carefull if your rely on the ACO breakdown cover!! If I remember rightly they will just tow you to the nearest garage. They will not even try to fix your car at the roadside and they will NOT take you back to the UK on a low loader!

First of all, please bare in mind that nationwide breakdown cover such as AA does not exist in France.
I double checked ACO breakdown cover. Their service does indeed not cover any repair of your car. They will arrange the towing to the next garage, and provide alternative means of transportation to go back home if your car cannot be fixed within a couple of hours.

I suggest that you write down ACO assistance tel numbers. The free phone number is 0800 08 08 24. However, it might not be reachable from a non-French mobile phone. Alternatively, you may call +33 2 43 50 50 43.

This is quite funny in a "spookey" sort of way. I had decided not to renew this year but after rereading the early replies to the question, bang! on me door mat another reminder this morning.

As one mechanic travelling with six (at least ) others I wasn't going to bother but Kate's reminder of that cool airconditioned Welcome  place has made me mind up...

Dammit I will, but I can confirm that ACO membership makes bugger all difference when you want ACO to send you Houx Annexe tickets. ;)

Pretty pink wristbands though ;)


bill

I had a red one.  My media wristband was green and my ACO wristband was red, which I found quite satisfactory for directing traffic.

Hello all,

Is it possible to join the ACO at the race and use all the 'welcome' facilities mentioned above? I must say I am mighty tempted by the clean bogs and refuge from the weather... Or would you say that it isn't worth it without the discount on tickets since I have already got mine sorted this year?

Thanks
Skoff

Good question thinking the same myself...previous year I have bought those semi-hospitality tickets that give you access to warm dry places and a tv set  but this aco might be worth it....

AFAIK you can join the ACO any time you want. I left my card at home one year and they were able to issue me a temporary one, so your membership is valid and usable immediately you have coughed up the dosh.

Every time I go with good intentions of having a hot shower at some point during the week, but there's always something more important to do. So I regard the major benefit as the savings on the tickets. Mind you, I could have ate my dinner off the ACO crappers at test weekend. Paper too! :)

Thanks for the info Smokie,

I think you are right, there is so much to do we probably won't bother, but then again since we are staying for a few days longer than the last couple of years a clean bog might start to look like porcelain heaven..!

Skoff